The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1887-07-15
miscellaneous.
lie Laughs Best Who Laughs Last.

this box OF things, here IN the table, home
to the by, Mr.. Bradley ?"
What are they, Nora?'
"Shure its some things we used to plny wild
whin We WAS a by yourself; and some traps
The aunt left years ago"
"PIl look at them"
The first articles that met his sight ON
looking into the box, were an ancient pair
of vases, us ugly as such affairs usually are.
He remembered seeing them filled with dried
grasses on his aunt's mantel shelf as long ago
as he could remember anything at her death
they had descended To him, and been forgot
ten in his busy life away from his hoyhood's
home.
Now Mr.. Bradley cordially detesledi bric-a-
brac, and Mrs. Bradley adored it, as MIR.
Bradleys home and purse could testify. He
knew rs surely us he carried those ugly vases
home, just so surely Mrs. Bradley would think
they were eminently fitted to adorn the par
lor and would take wonderful delight in ex-
hibiting them to Mrs. Scott, who had lust
bought
Happy thought The would take the vases
home and, without showing them TO his wife,
sell them to a man who dealt in such articles,
and who numbered Mrs. Bradley among his
patrons.
ale shall pay me back some of the money
lie mas GAtOTleu ITOLl NellIe lot tTHSU, SAID
Mr.. B., chucking to himself.
Still smiling, he packed the vases in q
separate box, and, taking his property, kissed
his mother goodbye, and started for his
home in distant city.
On reaching there two days later, he took
his vases at once to Mr.. Buydsell The little
old mans eyes twinkled at sight of them but
he was prepared to drive sharp bargain /;
SO was Mr.. Bradley He was in no haste to
sell, but since the vases were 30 rare, he
thought Mr.. Buydsell might like to see them
The sale for such articles was small but
perhaps the gentleman-for Mr.. Bradley was
unknown to him-wouldn't exact great
price for them, etc., etc.
After some more of this polite bargaining
Mr. Bradley left the vases and the store, $50
richer by the transaction. He laughed to
himself all the way home.
After atfeclionate greetings from his wife,
the other box was opened and when he saw
her Joy over a little mustard pot which she
discovered among his aunt's requests, his
conscience did prick him trfle bu. after
striking his foot against Japanese jar stand
ing by the table, he felt so happy to think
the vases were out of his way, that he laugh
thought of the vases and the $50 without o
broad smile or a chuckle.
When the Christmas holidays drew near,
his-Mr. B's.-wife's sister Laura came TO
make her permanent home with them
She was very bright, pretty girl, and in Mr..
Bradey's eyes had but one fault that, how
ever, was II serious one. She, too, adored
bric-a-brac"
One morning on his way to the office, he
happened to think it lacked only a day or
two of Christmas, and lie must pure base his
gifts soon; having leisure hour on this
particular morning, as well then as ever.
He finally chose very handsome lace
fichu for his wife. paying $40 for it. THAT
seems pretty extravaganza" he thought, "but
l always meant she should have the
$50 if she didn't have the vases; and $40
more with it ism. much. How her
eyes will sparkle when she sees !" He added
box of kids for Laura, and then went after
young Jason's toys and bonbons.
Christmas Eve, after the gas was lit in the
parlor, Laura wheeled away screen behind
which stood table holding the presents
There was one box which Mrs. Bradley set
on one side, her eyes shining with excitement,
and said: eve will keep that for the last,
Laura" Mr.. Bradley had no curiosity-men
never have-but he wanted them to get to
that box, which he felt sure contained some
thing for him, and be done with 1t.
Mrs. Bradeys joy at her fichu more than
repaid him for it, and Laura was delighted
with her glovcs-"such sensible, useful pre-
sent" she said. Finally Laura drew her
chair close to Mr.. Bradley on one side, Nellie
hers on the other, and taking the box she be-
gan:
"Once on time two sisters went out to
buy Christmas gift for gentleman who
was very dear to them. They found moth
ing that exactly pleased them, and decided to
postpone the purchase until another day
Before going home they went into store to
look at bric-a-brac," there Mr.. B. looked dis
since he didn't like such things" exclaimed
both sisters. (Mr. BIS face cleared.) "Just as
they were leaving the store, Mr.. Buydsell
asked them TO wait an instant, and going into
an inner room he returned with box which
he said contained pair of ancient vases
| (Mr. Bradley began Immediately to grow
taintD "He took them out and we-fOr We
were the sisters-looked at them without the
slightest idea of purchasing. We were still
examining them when Laura saw something
family penciled on the bottom of one; she
handed it to me, and found 1t TO be your
aunts address" "Mr. Bradley's brow be-
came moist with perspiration at this point
'The price was very high, but Laura and I
were determined you should have those mag
nificent old vases of your aunt's-how they
should be there is a mystery can't fathom."
(Mr. Bradley's heart, which had been slowly
sinking towards his slippers, began to rise
again.) $50 we united purses, and here are
/ the vases. Now do tell US you recognize them,
and are pleased with this much bric-a-brac,
if no more"
He lifted them gingerly out Of thin wrap
pings of silver paper, and managed TO say
that he did recognize them, and tell where
they used to stand whereupon the ladies
went into such chorus of II felt sure |" and
"I'm so glad - tina. Mr.. B. had time TO re-
cover little.
How much did they COST" he inquired
though that was very impolite
"Sixty-five dollars-but arn't they beau
ties! shall have them on the parlor man
tel"
Mr.. Bradley never felt quite sure how
much Nellie knew of the history of those
vases; but so long as she said nothing, he